DougB
Posted : 10/10/2009 11:00:08 AM
Criminal conversion
-From Wikipedia,
Criminal conversion, in criminal law, is usually defined as the crime of exerting unauthorized use or control of someone else's property. It differs from theft in that it does not include the element of intending to deprive the owner of the possession of that property. As such, it is a lesser included offense of the crime of theft.
An example might be tapping someone's secured wireless LAN or public utility line (which could also amount to theft of services). Another example might be taking a "joy ride" in a car, never intending to keep it from the owner. Some places have defined such conduct as a specific type of theft, perhaps with a modified penalty.
Note that the "unauthorized" use may begin after a period of authorized use, where, for example, a person rents a car then keeps it for an extra week without permission from the rental company. Another common example occurs when a person fails to report finding lost goods (including animals), intending only to keep them until someone asks for their return. When the intent becomes one of keeping them, it's a theft.
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Your vet appears to be involved in a crime. I talked with a man who had a similar problem. His two labs (rural-no collars or IDs) went for a walk. A distant neighbor decided to rescue the dogs and managed to capture one with a dart gun (she has an exotic santuary). She darted the mail after several attempts. The female left and went home. After several weeks, she took the dog to her vet. He recognized the dog and called to owner, making sure he got his property back.
Your vet seems to prefer the dark side. Hopefully, you have another vet available. If you do and do change providers, be sure he knows why.